Luggage handle



W. FINKELSTEIN LUGGAGE HANDLE Filed May 28, 1954 INVENTOR. h l/ba fihe/sfem LUGGAGE HANDLE William Finkelstein, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application May 28, 1954, Serial No. 433,029

1 Claim. (Cl. 190-571) My invention relates to a handle, and relates particularly to handles for traveling bags, suit cases, and brief cases and the like.

In my prior filed application, Serial No. 338,840, now Patent No. 2,695,691, issued Nov. 30, 1954, I show a luggage handle wherein a U-shaped metal bar has a grip portion at the center thereof.

The present application is an improvement upon the above mentioned patent application in that the seam at the top of the grip is covered and the handle is greatly improved in appearance.

It is an object of my invention to manufacture a handle for luggage or the like wherein the handle will be of relatively great strength even though the metal connecting portion is of lighter gage metal than that as shown in my Patent No. 2,678,707, dated May 18, 1954.

Another object of my invention is to manufacture a handle for luggage wherein the handle will hide the overlapping edge of the grip covering fabric.

Other objects of my invention are to provide an improved device of the character described, that is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy in construction, and which is highly efiicient in operation.

With the above and related objects in view, my invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a handle embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of grip and the bar nailed in position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the grip and the handle.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the grip, the fabric and the U-shaped bar.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, I show a handle wherein a grip portion A, made of wood or plastic or the like is covered with a fabric B to match the bag or valise or other article to which it is attached. The grasp or States Patent ice grip portion A has a vertical slot 10 at one end and a similar vertical slot 12 at the other end for a purpose to be further described. The top and the bottom of the grasp are not slotted. The top of the grip portion is flat and the bottom is rounded.

An inverted U-shaped strap C has a slightly bowed cross section 14 which covers the overlap 16 of the grasp sheathing fabric B, this makes it easier to cover the grip.

The cross-sectional bow in the inverted U-shaped member provides for greater strength and, hence, the inverted U-shaped member C need not be as heavy as the inverted U-shaped strap as shown in my Patent No. 2,678,707, granted May 18, 1954.

The slots 10 and 12 prevent the inverted U-shaped strap from swinging with respect to the grip A, and a pair of nails 18, 18 cause the strap C and the grip to be locked together.

The how 14 is convex-concave in cross section with the convex surface on top and the concave surface immediately above the overlap of the sheathing fabric 13.

The wooden grasp A need not be as thick in height as in the prior art handles due to the top longitudinal groove being eliminated and the handle is attractive in appearance.

The legs 20, 22 of the inverted U-shaped bar are connected to the tear drop anchor strap members whereby pivotal relationship of the handle with respect to the anchor strap members occurs.

Although my invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim as my invention:

A handle for baggage or luggage comprising an inverted U-shaped strap member made of metal which has a curved transverse cross section throughout its length, a wood grip member having a recess in each end wall, a flat top and a rounded bottom, a fabric cover for said wood grip member having overlapping ends at the top of said wood grip member, the center of said inverted U-shaped metal member overlying said overlapping fabric ends, means to fasten said inverted U-shaped member to said wood grip member, the parallel ends of said inverted U-shaped member being located within said recesses in each end wall of the grip member and extending below the height of said wood grip member, and means to connect each end of said inverted U-shaped member to a piece of luggage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 457,112 Eisenman et al Aug. 4, 1891 1,977,674 Finkelstein Oct. 23, 1934 2,624,431 Caro Jan. 6, 1953 2,652,908 Fuller Sept. 22, 1953 

